Did you know that if it weren't for Christmas, the United States of America might not even exist today? That's right, in December of 1776, America's colonists had totally given up on the Revolutionary War. It was only through an unexpected Christmas miracle that things were suddenly turned around in America's favor. If it hadn't been for one single Christmas celebration held in 1776, the United States of America might not exist today.
The American Revolution you see, was a very difficult war for American colonists to fight. You must remember that they were fighting against the army of their own government. There were also many colonists still loyal to the Crown of England, and anyone caught siding with the revolutionary cause could be branded a traitor and hanged. The Revolutionary War therefore, did not get off to a very good start. After the first symbolic battles in Boston, it quickly became apparent that this war was not going to be an easy war to fight
Since New York City was considered to be the economic heart of America, the British decided to launch their first major assault there. A large military force was dispatched from England to carry out this mission. America's General George Washington had very little experience fighting in a European style war, and with inexperienced troops as well, didn't stand much of a chance of defending New York's Long Island against the more experienced British regulars. In August of 1776, a force of 30,000 British troops was dispatched to Long Island where they quickly routed Washington's Colonial Militia.
In October, the battle for Valcour Island on New York's Lake Champlain did not go much better for the Americans. The colonials gave a good account of themselves, but this battle too was lost. Another formal battle in White Plains, New York resulted in a similar defeat for Washington's troops. The Colonial Militia lacked the military skills and formal training to effectively fight in a conventional style war, so in this battle as well, they lost more ground to the British.
When the British finally captured Fort Lee in Westchester, New York, General Washington was forced into a full retreat. Washington's army headed for the safety of the forests of Pennsylvania (Penn's Woods). By the time Washington arrived in Princeton, he had only 400 men with him from his original force of over 20,000 troops. He crossed over into Pennsylvania with the British army close behind and closing in for the kill. Washington's other armies under generals Gates, Greene and Sullivan also headed for the Pennsylvania side of the Delaware River to join up with Washington and his harried troops.
The American Revolution was now in grave danger of complete failure. Washington's men were running short on food and supplies, and without proper winter clothing, many were now freezing to death in the bitter cold. Many militiamen did not even own shoes, and wrapped their feet in layers of rags to insulate them from the snow. Morale in the colonies had sunken so low that colonial troops could no longer even beg food or shelter from their own countrymen, who were now deathly afraid of British retaliation.
General Washington immediately sent word to the Continental Congress that he was badly in need of reinforcements, and also food and clothing. Unfortunately however, reinforcements were not in the offing. In fact, the Continental Congress itself was now in complete disarray and worried about its own future. Washington's troops were deserting his militia in droves and heading for home. Everyone was convinced that the Revolutionary War was over. To add to Washington's plight, half of his troops' enlistment contracts would be up in a few more days on January 1st.
Washington needed a miracle, and he needed it fast. But believe it or not, a miracle did occur on Christmas Day that would completely reverse the course of the American Revolution. Please click on the link below and order your copy of Edward Oliver's new 350-page book "Prophets and Frauds" to read the true story about this amazing Christmas miracle that cleared the way for the creation of the United States of America.
Click Here to Order Edward Oliver's book "PROPHETS AND FRAUDS"
